Jess Knights Channels Throwback Soul on “Baby, Won’t You Stay”

(Calgary) May 13, 2020 — Calgary soul revivalist Jess Knights returns with the simmering “Baby, Won’t You Stay,” off her upcoming debut LP, Best Kind of Light, set for release on a new postponed date of June 19.

Filtered through transcendent hip-swaying instrumentation from some of Toronto’s best songsmiths and sidemen, including R. Grunwald, Dean Drouillard, Mark McIntyre and award-winning producer Joshua Van Tassel, the track is a playful plea to hang back after the sun’s come up. Brimming with soulful throwback energy and Knights’ coy vocal conviction, “Baby, Won’t You Stay” muses on love in the moment.

“This song is a nod to the music I grew up with and love the most with its Dap-Kings groove,” said Knights. “It’s a happy, upbeat and soulful song that gets you moving, and I think the world could use a happy song right now. It’s a weird time to be releasing music, but my hope is that this ditty brings a little joy to you all. Brighter days are ahead and for now we’ve got to keep our spirits up with feel-good music.”

Best Kind of Light brings into focus the moody, dimly-lit spectrum of Knights’ classically-trained voice, which has drawn comparisons to U.K. luminaries Amy Winehouse and Eliza Doolittle. Able to traverse sultry ballads and raise-the-roof-off-the-church soul with ease, Knights is a dynamo performer that’s bound to leave an impression.

Upon the release of her decade-in-the-making debut 2018 EP, Won’t Wait, Knights landed on several year-end lists with the Calgary Herald and TheYYScene naming her one to watch. The EP received significant play on SiriusXM, enjoyed spins on CBC Radio, and charted on college stations throughout Canada.

“…unapologetically herself both in her lyrics and the way she refuses to let her music be put into any single box.” — Sarah Burke, SiriusXM

“…dynamic vocal prowess — she can move from a sweet purr to a fierce growl at the drop of a beat…old-school soul-rock.” – Darryl Sterdan, Tinnitist

“…formidable pipes…distinctly suited for R&B, dark soul and soulful blues.” — Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald

“…a scorching blues, soul, gospel and R&B singer-songwriter that has seen and weathered her fair share of life’s rich pageant.” — Brad Simm, BeatRoute

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